Korean J Ophthalmol.  2014 Apr;28(2):177-180. 10.3341/kjo.2014.28.2.177.

Ranibizumab Injection for Corneal Neovascularization Refractory to Bevacizumab Treatment

• Ahn YJ
• Hwang HB
• Chung SK

• KMID: 1792113
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2014.28.2.177

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor is an emerging therapeutic modality for various ocular diseases with neovascularization (NV). However, for corneal NV, controversy remains regarding whether bevacizumab or ranibizumab is superior. A 32-year-old female diagnosed with herpetic keratoconjunctivitis with refractory corneal NV despite two previous subconjunctival and intrastromal bevacizumab injections, received two subconjunctival and intrastromal ranibizumab injections. Six months postoperatively, there was significant regression of the neovascular area and vessel caliber. Here, the authors report a case of improvement in corneal NV with subconjunctival and intrastromal ranibizumab injections, which was previously refractory to bevacizumab injection. The findings may suggest a new prospect in treating corneal NV.

Keyword

Corneal neovascularization; Herpetic keratitis; Ranibizumab; Subconjunctival and intrastromal injections

MeSH Terms

Adult
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/*administration & dosage
Conjunctiva/blood supply
Corneal Neovascularization/*drug therapy
Corneal Stroma/blood supply
Female
Humans
Injections, Intraocular/methods
Keratitis, Herpetic/*drug therapy
Visual Acuity/drug effects
Angiogenesis Inhibitors
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Standardized digital slit-lamp pictures of the neovascularized area in the cornea. (A) View of anterior segment before subconjunctival and intrastromal bevacizumab injections. (B) One month after the last subconjunctival and intrastromal bevacizumab injections, showing no specific decrease in the extent of corneal neovascularization. (C) View of the anterior segment of relapsed herpetic keratoconjunctivitis accompanied with abnormal new vessels taken before ranibizumab injection. (D) Two months after the last subconjunctival and intrastromal ranibizumab injections, revealing significant regression in both vessel diameter and neovascular area. (E) Three months after the last subconjunctival and intrastromal ranibizumab injections, the lesion area seems more reduced compared to two months postoperatively.

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